AaronCapenBanner
Based on the Michael Crichton novel, this adaptation(directed by "Get Carter" Mike Hodges) tells the story of computer programmer Harry Benson, who, in an attempt to cure his brain seizures, agrees to an experiment where he has micro-computers implanted in his brain, in order to correct the faulty brain chemistry. Things don't go as planned when his new mind starts to get pleasure from the violent impulses he now feels, and so escapes from the hospital, starting a desperate manhunt to prevent him from murdering anyone, and of course to cover-up the scientific failure.George Segal is believable as Harry, and the rest of the cast is fine, and though Mike Hodges tries, this film is simply too dreary and downbeat to succeed, and by the end, there doesn't seem to have been any discernible point to it all.
Kieran Green
George Segal is Harry Benson A brilliant computer scientist, as a result of a head injury, he begins to experience violent seizures. In an attempt to control the seizures, he undergoes a new surgical procedure in which a microcomputer is inserted into his brain. The procedure is not entirely successful. Directed by Mike Hodges, Michael Crichton The Terminal Man, is undeniably a lost classic it is nothing short of brilliant. George Segal proves that he can be more than comedic, he is joined by other great actors such as Richard Dysart, the late Jill Clayburgh, It is now available through Warner Brother's made to order 'burning' archive it's a shame that they've not subjected it to a proper special edition title.
grubstaker58
"The Terminal Man" is another under-appreciated film from the 1970's.It's a science fiction tale that is both austere and elegant.A cautionary tale of medical science and it's "we can cure anything or f#%k you up trying" mentality .Directer Mike Hodge does a wonderful job setting the tone and keeping it flowing in at a deliberate pace.Much like the film's beautiful classical based score.The actors are superb.The vastly underrated George Segal took a role way out of the "comfort zone" of the top actors of that era.(and he was one).He's very subdued, intelligent and very good.Joan Hackett is equally fine as a empathetic psychiatrist. Richard Dysart plays a super egotistical surgeon that still throws up before operating.The role I enjoyed best was that played by Michael C. Gwynne. With a glance here and one or two words there , he kept the tension flowing from scene to scene. Ambiguous and fun to watch.There are many rewarding subtleties and nuances throughout this film for the viewer with the willingness and patience.The plot revolves around a new experimental,innovative surgical procedure being utilized to stop Segal's character from having violence filled black-outs/seizures.Needless to say ,things go awry and the patient finds himself caught between a sudden addiction of his body to have these seizures so that it can receive the soothing "high" from the micro computer implanted in his brain.(Oh, I didn't mention the "patient" has a intense phobia of machines).There is a great scene where Segal (now pretty much berserk) breaks into the lab where he used to work(on robots no less) and he proceeds to bash them up and does great damage to them.They're still functioning in this damaged capacity and Segal's on his knees, in the middle of them,moving in rhythm as they move, to-fro, up-down. Segal holding his head, chanting "Make it stop...Make it stop.....
wilbrifar
I was looking for a bit of trivia about this film and made the mistake of reading the reviews here. My jaw dropped when I saw the overwhelming opinion that this movie is worthless because it's too slow. Has everyone been too brain-deadened by recent Hollywood thrill rides to appreciate a patiently unfolding story? The Terminal Man is very creepy, very scary, and is acted with amazing skill by even the smallest of bit players. Each one of the doctors involved in the experiment, for example, carries his or her own personal baggage, and it's that baggage which clouds their reason and makes true progress impossible. The message of the film seems to be that no matter how advanced science becomes, people will still be people, and our petty prides and jealousies will tear down every accomplishment. That's the brilliance of this movie; it takes a broad sci-fi theme yet reduces it to its most unpredictable element: the personalities of the persons involved. There are so many amazing scenes in this film where a line or two of casual conversation reveals so much about the power games being played between the speakers. On the outside, these scientists are titans of technology; on the inside, they're closer to the befuddled old men of the comedy "BALL OF FIRE". The only one who thinks with heart as well as head is the Joan Hackett character, and the clash between her and the good 'ol boys of science is both profound and heartbreaking.I urge anyone with an IQ larger than their shoe size to ignore the negative comments and give this film a chance. Viewed with an open mind and a little patience, this movie becomes quite an exiting experience. It's one of the greatest sci-fi/horror films of all time, and has never gotten its due respect. It's the kind of film we could use more of, and the fact it's considered boring by today's audiences is very sad proof of the dumbing-down effect of Hollywood clap-trap. We're used to movies that ask you to set back while you're force-fed the story. The Terminal Man requires that you watch what's happening, listen to what's being said, and think about what's between the lines. If you can't do that, stick with Vin Diesel films.
AD
